Get Ready for the Majestic Aurora Borealis: X-Class Solar Flares Return
The night sky over Aitkin, Minnesota, on August 12, 2024, was a sight to behold (photo by Christopher Mark Juhn/Anadolu via Getty Images).
Anadolu via Getty Images
On November 4, the sun unleashed two powerful X-class solar flares, the most intense category, followed by M-class flares on November 5. This sudden surge in solar activity has skywatchers on edge, as it's been a while since we've seen such a spectacle.
The sun's magnetic activity is now directed towards Earth, setting the stage for geomagnetic storms. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued forecasts for these storms, with the first expected on November 6 and 7.
The Solar Dynamics Observatory, a NASA tool, detected the X1.1 and X1.8 flares, the first X-class flares since June 19, 2025. These flares are intense bursts of energy and electromagnetic radiation, with X-class being the most powerful. The number following the X indicates their strength.
Two weaker M-class flares, M3.5 and M7.4, also occurred on November 4 and 5, respectively. The source of this activity is a new sunspot, 4274, which has emerged on the left side of the sun as it rotates.
NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center confirmed that the flares caused a strong radio blackout, as X-rays and ultraviolet radiation from the flares travel at the speed of light, causing disruption within eight minutes. However, the more significant concern is the coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that follow, which take 24-72 hours to reach Earth.
These CMEs are the key to the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights. With at least two CMEs expected to interact with Earth's magnetic field this week, NOAA predicts minor G1-rated geomagnetic storms, with a slight chance of G2 levels. According to NOAA's aurora forecast, 14 states in the northern US could witness the mesmerizing lights.
So, get ready for a spectacular display of nature's beauty, but remember to stay informed and prepared for any changes in the weather forecast.
